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DISCLAIMER: As ever, this article weighs up how well we think these players will do in GW8 alone rather than over the next few weeks. To see who we think has more long-term value, check out our transfer tips piece for GW8.

The Forward Candidates

Harry Kane (£12.7m)

GW8 Opponent: Bournemouth (H)

As we said, Harry Kane is the headline captain choice this weekend as he prepares to host a Bournemouth side that has conceded an average of two goals per away match this season.

That would be evidence enough for Kane's skipper credentials without the fact that the Tottenham man himself has found the net 15 times in his last 13 appearances in all competitions.

Harry Kane has to be the headline captain pick this week (Image: Getty Images)

His goal-rate is no fluke either as he forging himself a massive number of chances in each fixture.

In the first seven games of the season Kane has had more attempts on goal than any other player (44) which averages out at 6.26 every 90 minutes.

In my opinion, the only reason not to captain Harry Kane this week is if you need to make ground up on your mini-league rivals...

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Gabriel Jesus (£10.5m)

GW8 Opponent: Stoke City (H)

...And if you are chasing the coat-tails of your mates then maybe Gabriel Jesus is the option for you.

The Manchester City striker has a very nice home fixture this week as Stoke City rock up to the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens have found the net 11 times in three home matches this season and are expected to score a handful of goals against an average Stoke defence.

Jesus has averaged 5.7 points per game so far this season with the only thing holding him back up until this point being his rotation risk.

I know many Jesus owners are now worried about his starting place for GW8 after it was revealed that Sergio Aguero had been "training as normal" but we are confident that the Brazilian is still worth keeping for this weekend at least.

Gabriel Jesus should be the starting striker for Manchester City this weekend (Image: Getty Images)

While Aguero has returned to training he has not re-joined the sessions for the whole team as he has been training on his own.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Aguero said: "I still do not know if I am going to play on Saturday. Today I trained normally, but without the group.

"Tomorrow I will get into the group to see how I feel, but at training it's not the same thing as a game, I want to see if I have pain."

Those quotes suggest to me that he is not quite ready to start for City and with a tough Champions League match coming up against Napoli on Tuesday, it makes no sense for Guardiola to rush him back in.

After all, if there's one team you don't want your star man to face with a tender rib it's Stoke City - managed by Mark Hughes too!

Jesus' place looks assured for Saturday, then, so I would not feel too worried handing him the captain's armband!

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Michy Batshuayi (£8.1m)

GW8 Opponent: Crystal Palace (A)

With Michy Batshuayi it's a bit more complicated because Alvaro Morata is potentially further along in his recover than Sergio Aguero - but I still think the Belgian will get the nod to start at Palace.

I don't think we need to waste time making the case for backing a Chelsea player for the captaincy in GW8. All you need to know is that Palace have conceded 17 goals in seven games without reply.

The Blues have bagged eight on the road in 2017/18 and will have a very potent midfield available to supply whoever plays up front.

As I said, I think that will be Batshuayi considering that even if Morata is approaching full fitness again, why would Antonio Conte risk his comeback against the worst team in the division?

After all, there's a big Champions League game against Roma at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. I'm sure Conte would rather focus on having his star striker and top goal-scorer ready for that fixture instead of Palace.